Southeastern Louisiana University

Computer Science Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science  

    The Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology offers a four-year program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.  The program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission ABET.  This program is designed to provide the foundation necessary for computer science graduates to succeed in the computing profession as well as in graduate school.  The Computer Science degree offers three concentrations: Scientific, Information Systems, and Information Technology.

The Scientific Concentration provides a comprehensive computer science foundation that prepares students to design and implement software to solve computing problems. It covers applied topics, but emphasizes theoretical understanding of computer science, including an ability to use advanced mathematics to solve scientific problems and to work closely with other scientists to devise new ways of using computers. This concentration is suitable for students interested in a career in software engineering, and is especially appropriate for students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in computer science, leading ultimately to a career in academic or industrial research.

The Information Systems Concentration is intended for students who want to apply computer science in a management setting. Having grown out of a business perspective, this concentration focuses on managing information, projects, and other technical professionals. Although it still contains a significant core of theoretical and applied computer science, the curriculum also includes business and management courses to educate students in the organizational side of computer science, as well as fairly advanced mathematics, enabling students to manage scientific computing projects and personnel more effectively. Careers in this discipline typically bridge the technological and management communities of an organization. This concentration also prepares student for graduate work in Management Information Systems and related fields.

The Information Technology Concentration prepares students with practical, hands-on expertise to solve everyday computing problems. This concentration is a new and rapidly growing discipline that began as a grassroots response to meet the needs of business, government, and other organizations, which require technology experts who can make an impact quickly upon arrival. The curriculum includes theoretical computer science topics and enough mathematics for graduates to successfully converse with other computing professionals. However, this concentration focuses much more on the the applications of computer science, and as such does not require as many higher mathematics courses as the other concentrations. As part of this applied focus, students in this concentration satisfy an application area component, a series of electives designed to enable a deeper study of one particular computing application. Careers in this concentration focus on developing, supporting, and administrating the computing technology that has become critical to all organizations.